Socks

ABSTRACT

A sock includes at least a sole portion thereof of a specialized layered fabric including a dual face or dual layer material (e.g., terry material) with a hydrophobic inner face (or layer) and a hydrophilic inner face (or layer). Moisture is adsorbed from a wearer&#39;s skin by hydrophobic yarn along the inner face or layer and is immediately absorbed by the hydrophilic yarn along the outer face or layer, with the absorbed moisture being spread along or through the outer face to promote evaporation. The dual face or dual layer structure promotes transport of moisture to the side which is to interact with the atmosphere, thereby isolating skin from moist outer fabric

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims benefit of Pakistani Patent Application No.519/2013 filed on Jul. 31, 2013 entitled “SOCKS.” Priority of theforegoing Pakistani application is hereby claimed under 35 U.S.C. 119,and the contents of such application are hereby incorporated byreference herein, for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The innovation covers the field of legwear, more particularly thetechnical sock category used by athletes and people living activelifestyles.

BACKGROUND

A sock is a type of clothing used to cover a wearer's feet with the aimof providing comfort inside shoes. This comfort can be provided by wayof a softer cushioned feel, by removal of sweat, and/or by providingwarmth in colder environments.

Sweat is a natural way to facilitate cooling of body temperature, sinceevaporation of sweat is an endothermic (i.e., heat absorbing) process.During exercise, body temperature rises, and may result in excessivesweating. Sweat must be evaporated to cause endothermic cooling of abody. Since this evaporation is an integral part of sweat cooling, itmay be desirable for clothing articles to have the ability to transfermoisture through them in order to promote evaporation of sweat.

As compared with other clothing articles, socks contend with moredifficult conditions, since socks are tightly fitted against a wearer'sskin and are typically covered with shoes having limited breathability.Such conditions result in less evaporation and prolonged wetness, whichin turn result in increased friction against the wearer's skin—givingrise to blisters as well as bacteria growth, bad odor, and otherdisorders.

There exist specialized synthetic fiber socks which quickly spread themoisture all across the sock fabric, working on the principle ofincreasing the surface area of moistened fabric to increase theevaporation. This principle of increasing moistened fabric area performsreasonably well in garments where the fabric is in direct interactionwith the atmosphere, but the reduced atmospheric interaction specific tothe context of socks tends to limit the effectiveness of conventionalmoisture-spreading fabrics when applied to socks. The specialcross-section design of these synthetic fibers enables the fabric madewith them to hold greater amounts of moisture, but this moisture isevenly spread throughout (i.e., along the inner side as well as outerside), resulting in a condition similar to that of a natural fiberfabric, wherein once sweating begins, a wearer's skin remain in contactwith wet fabric until the fabric is completely dried after evaporation.

In view of the limited airflow inside a shoe, it would be desirable toprovide a sock capable of keeping a wearer's skin isolated from wetfabric while exhibiting good wicking performance to expediteevaporation.

SUMMARY

With the constraint of low airflow in mind, socks according to variousembodiments of the present invention include at least a sole portionthereof comprising a specialized layered fabric including a dual face ordual layer material (e.g., terry material) with a hydrophobic inner face(or layer) and a hydrophilic outer face (or layer). The sole portion ofthe sock corresponds to a sole portion of a wearer's foot having amaximum number of sweat glands and almost no airflow. The inner face (orlayer) of the sock is arranged for placement in contact with skin of awearer. With the inner face (or layer) being rich in hydrophobic fibersand the outer face (or layer) being rich in hydrophilic fibers, moistureis adsorbed from a wearer's skin by the hydrophobic fibers of the innerface (or layer) and is immediately absorbed by the absorbent outer face(or layer) where it is spread all over. This dual face or dual layerstructure promotes transport of moisture to the side which is tointeract with the atmosphere, thereby isolating skin from moist outerfabric. Skin covered with such a sock and additionally covered with ashoe may be maintained in a dry condition despite the constraint ofreduced interaction of the sock with a surrounding atmosphere. No matterhow slow the evaporation process, socks according to embodiments of thepresent invention promote separation of wetness from the wearer's skin,thereby avoiding problems of excessive friction, blisters and discomfortassociated with use of conventional socks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sock according to one embodiment ofthe present invention, showing different constructions corresponding todifferent foot and ankle locations.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view showing the inner side of a slit-open sockaccording to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view showing the outer side of a slit-open sockaccording to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-2.

FIG. 4A is a perspective schematic view showing a dual face terrymaterial proximate to skin of a wearer, with an (upward-facing) innerface including loops (or pile) of hydrophobic yarn arranged to adsorbdroplets of sweat for transport away from the skin.

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the dual face terry material of FIG. 4Awith an (upward-facing) outer face including hydrophilic yarn, andshowing absorption of sweat by the outer face following transport ofsweat to the outer face by the hydrophobic inner layer.

FIG. 5 is a table providing results of tests for vertical wicking andabsorbency of a dual face terry material that may be used to fabricateat least a portion of a sock according to embodiments to the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic stitch diagram for a dual face terry material ofat least a portion of a sock according to embodiments of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As noted previously, a sock according to the present invention mayinclude a dual face or dual layer material (e.g., terry material) at atleast a sole portion thereof, with the inner face or layer including ahydrophobic yarn, the outer face or layer including a hydrophilic yarn,and the inner face or layer being arranged for placement in contact withskin of a wearer. This construction essentially provides low absorbencyfibers along the inner face (or layer) and high absorbency fibers alongthe outer face (or layer). Such construction is designed to transportmoisture away from skin of a wearer via absorption using the hydrophobicyarn of the inner face or layer, and to spread moisture within the outerface via absorption using the hydrophilic yarn of the outer face orlayer, to permit evaporation of sweat from the outer face or layer to asurrounding environment.

Examples of hydrophobic yarns that may be used in constructing portionsof a sock as described herein include, but are not limited to,polypropylene, polyester, acrylic, and blends of the foregoingmaterials. As will be recognized by one skilled in the art, otherhydrophobic materials or combinations of materials may be used. Examplesof hydrophilic yarns that may be used in constructing portions of a sockas described herein include, but are not limited to, wool, cotton,viscose, and blends of the foregoing materials. As will be recognized byone skilled in the art, other hydrophilic materials or combinations ofmaterials may be used.

In certain embodiments, a sock as described herein includes plaiting ofstretch hydrophobic yarn. Such plaiting may be provided in the dual faceor dual layer material arranged in at least the sole portion of thesock. Such plaiting may be tailored to specific zones of a sock providedesired level of stretch characteristics.

In certain embodiments, an inner face or inner layer of the dual face ordual layer material consists of 100% hydrophobic yarn. Such yarn maykeep a wearer's skin dry and isolated while providing cushioning.

In certain embodiments, an outer face or outer layer of the dual face ordual layer material (or an outer face or outer layer of the entire sock)comprises hydrophilic yarn to transport sweat from the inner face orinner layer to the outer face or outer layer. Sweat is absorbed by theouter face or outer layer and spread around such face or layer byabsorption to promote evaporation. In certain embodiments, the outerlayer or outer face of the entire sock (not just the sole portion)comprises hydrophilic material to maximize evaporation of sweat to anambient environment.

In certain embodiments, an inner side or inner layer of the dual face ordual layer material has minimal to no affinity for moisture or sweat.Such inner side or inner layer may have an absorbency test value of atleast 30 seconds according to AATCC Test Method 79. Such test methodmeasures a propensity of fabric to take up water, whereby a fabricsample is placed in an embroidery hoop with all creases removed, aburette dispenses a drop of water onto the surface of the fabric from adistance of 9.5 mm below the burette, and time is recorded until thewater drop is complete absorbed into the fabric.

In certain embodiments, an outer face or outer layer of the dual face ordual layer material has great affinity for moisture or sweat. Such outerside or outer layer may have any absorbency test value of 5 seconds orless.

In certain embodiments, an outer face or outer layer of the dual face ordual layer material (which covers the entirety of the sole portion, andin certain embodiments preferably covers the entire outer perimeter of asock) exhibits excellent spread of moisture, with the outer face orouter layer being arranged to interact with an ambient atmosphere. Suchouter face or outer layer may exhibit vertical wicking of at least 10centimeters in 30 minutes. Vertical wicking tests (e.g., AATCC TestMethod 197 or Consumer Testing Lab method CTL-FW-106) generally involveplacement of suspension of vertically aligned fabric specimen with a cutedge in a container of liquid, (e.g., distilled water) and recordationof height of liquid the is absorbed for a specified time. Such tests areused to evaluate the ability of fabric to transport liquid along and/orthrough the fabric.

In certain embodiments, a sock as disclosed herein may have separatecolors on inner and outer sides (or faces) thereof. In certainembodiments, an inner face (or layer) may include a first color, anouter face (or layer) may include a second color, and the first colordiffers from the second color. In certain embodiments, the provision ofseparate colors along inner and outer sides (or faces) of a sock mayexclude heel and toe areas of the sock.

In certain embodiments, a sock may include a mesh or mesh channeledmaterial portion arranged to be positioned along a top portion of awearer's foot where conditions of less sweat and greater airflow may beexperienced. Such mesh or mesh channeled material portion may includehydrophilic main yarn and stretch hydrophobic plaiting yarn.

In certain embodiments, a sock may include a plain knit fabric portionarranged to be positioned along a wearer's ankle. Such plain knit fabricportion may include hydrophilic main yarn and stretch hydrophobicplaiting yarn.

In certain embodiments, a sock may include reverse plaited terry fabricportions arranged to be positioned along a wearer's heel and along awearer's toes, and intended to provide increased (e.g. maximum)cushioning. Such reverse plaited terry fabric portions may includehydrophilic and/or hydrophobic main yarn and stretch hydrophobicplaiting yarn.

In certain embodiments, a sock may include simulated rib fabric portionarranged to be positioned at a top portion of the sock (e.g., above anankle portion) for maximum grip along a wearer's leg. The simulated ribfabric portion may include hydrophilic main yarn, stretch hydrophobicplaiting, and laid-in elastic yarn.

In certain embodiments, at least a sole portion of a sock may includetwo thread terry fabric construction with dual faces or layers, having ahydrophobic inner pile, stretch hydrophobic plaiting, and hydrophilicmain yarn in the outer layer or face.

In certain embodiments, at least a sole portion of a sock may include aninner pile (e.g., embodying an inner face or layer) comprisinghydrophobic yarn, with stretch plaiting in the middle, and with an outerface or outer layer comprising hydrophobic yarn.

In certain embodiments, a hydrophobic inner face or inner layer portionis arranged to press against and contact a hydrophilic outer face orouter layer portion under application of elastic pressure and/or bodyweight of a wearer. Such contact causes adsorbed moisture on thehydrophobic inner face or inner layer portion to be absorbed by thehydrophilic outer face or outer layer, into which the moisture israpidly spread to promote evaporation.

While the present invention will be described with reference to a fewspecific embodiments, the description is illustrative of the inventionand is not to be construed as limiting the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sock according to one embodiment ofthe present invention, showing different constructions corresponding todifferent foot and ankle locations depending on functional requirementsat those places. Mesh channels 5 are arranged to be positioned at a topportion of a wearer's foot where there is lesser sweat and greaterairflow. The mesh channels 5 include hydrophilic main yarn and stretchhydrophobic plaiting yarn. A plain knit fabric portion 2 arranged to bepositioned along a wearer's ankle includes standard plain knit fabricwith hydrophilic main yarn and stretch hydrophobic plaiting yarn.Reverse plaited terry fabric is provided at heel and toe portions 3 formaximum cushioning, with hydrophilic main yarn and stretch hydrophobicplaiting. A simulated rib fabric portion 1 arranged to be positioned ata top portion of the sock (e.g., above an ankle portion) to receive awearer's leg and provide maximum grip, with such portion 1 includinghydrophilic main yarn, stretch hydrophobic plaiting, and laid-in elasticyarn. A sole portion 4 includes two thread terry fabric constructionwith dual faces, having a hydrophobic inner pile, stretch hydrophobicplaiting, and hydrophilic main yarn.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view showing the inner side of a slit-open sockaccording to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. Provided at the top of thesock and arranged to be positioned around a wearer's leg is an innersurface 6 of false rib fabric for maximum grip, with hydrophilic mainyarn, stretch hydrophobic plaiting, and laid-in hydrophobic elasticyarn. Arranged to be positioned around a wearer's ankle and/or leg is aninner surface 7 of standard plain knit fabric including stretchhydrophobic plaiting yarn with hydrophilic main yarn on an outer sidethereof. Reverse plaiting terry fabric is provided along inner heelsurface 8 and inner toe surface 9, with thick terry pile for maximumcushioning including hydrophilic and or hydrophobic main yarn withstretch hydrophobic plaiting. Arranged to be positioned at a top portionof a wearer's foot is an inner surface of mesh fabric 10 at a locationhaving lesser sweat and greater airflow, with such fabric includingstretch hydrophobic plaiting yarn with hydrophilic main yarn on an outerside. Arranged to be positioned along a sole portion of a wearer's footis an inner surface of a two thread terry fabric 11 with dual faceconstruction, having an inner pile (or inner face) made with hydrophobicyarns, with stretch hydrophobic plaiting in the middle, and withhydrophilic main yarn on an outer side or outer face.

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view showing the outer side of a slit-open sockaccording to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-2. Provided at the top ofthe sock and arranged to be positioned around a wearer's leg is an outersurface 12 of simulated rib fabric for maximum grip, with hydrophilicmain yarn, stretch hydrophobic plaiting, and laid-in hydrophobic elasticyarn. Arranged to be positioned around a wearer's ankle and/or leg is aninner surface 13′ of standard plain knit fabric including hydrophilicmain yarn with stretch hydrophobic plaiting yarn. Reverse plaiting terryfabric is provided along inner heel surface 14 and inner toe surface 15,exhibiting plain stitch, with hydrophilic main yarn and stretchhydrophobic plaiting. Arranged to be positioned at a top portion of awearer's foot is an outer surface of mesh fabric 16 at a location havinglesser sweat and greater airflow, with such fabric including hydrophilicmain yarn with stretch hydrophobic plaiting yarn on an inner side.Arranged to be positioned along a sole portion of a wearer's foot is aninner surface of a two thread terry fabric 17 including dual faceconstruction , exhibiting plain stitch with hydrophilic main yarn on anouter side, with stretch hydrophobic plaiting in the middle, and withhydrophobic yarn pile on an inner side.

FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate the functioning of the dual face or dual layerterry fabric as described herein, Sweat vapor' 17 is exuded by awearer's skin 18 and momentarily adsorbs to inner terry pile 19 made ofhydrophobic yarns. Under elastic pressure and body weight the two layersof fabric (i.e., the hydrophobic inner layer 19 and the hydrophilicouter layer 20), are pressed against each other. Adsorbed moisture onthe inner side 19 of the terry fabric is absorbed up by the outerhydrophilic layer 20 the moisture it is spread rapidly for evaporation.

FIG. 5 is a table providing results of tests for vertical wicking andabsorbency of a dual face terry material (fabric) that may be used tofabricate at least a portion of a sock according to embodiments to thepresent invention. An inner face portion of the material exhibited anabsorbency test value of greater than 30 seconds upon testing accordingto AATCC Test Method 79. An outer face portion exhibited an absorbencytest value of 1.8 seconds upon testing according to AATCC Test Method79. The results clearly show that this fabric has no affinity formoisture on the inner side, while the outer layer is highly absorbent.With respect to vertical wicking, the vertical wicking of the outerlayer is also excellent, showing that moisture is rapidly spread forquick evaporation. The foregoing results are also indicative of the factthat the layer next to a wearer's skin remains dry.

FIG. 6 is a schematic stitch diagram for a dual face terry material(fabric) of at least a portion of a sock according to embodiments of thepresent invention. Such figure illustrates knit stich hydrophilic mainyarn 21, knit stitch, plaited stretch hydrophobic yarn 22, and floatstitch terry hydrophobic yarn 23 arranged in an exemplary construction.

While the invention has been has been described herein in reference tospecific aspects, features and illustrative embodiments of theinvention, it will be appreciated that the utility of the invention isnot thus limited, but rather extends to and encompasses numerous othervariations, modifications and alternative embodiments, as will suggestthemselves to those of ordinary skill in the field of the presentinvention, based on the disclosure herein. Various combinations andsub-combinations of the structures described herein are contemplated andwill be apparent to a skilled person having knowledge of thisdisclosure. Any of the various features and elements as disclosed hereinmay be combined with one or more other disclosed features and elementsunless indicated to the contrary herein. Correspondingly, the inventionas hereinafter claimed is intended to be broadly construed andinterpreted, as including all such variations, modifications andalternative embodiments, within its scope and including equivalents ofthe claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A sock comprising a sole of dual face terrymaterial including an inner face and an outer face, wherein the innerface comprises hydrophobic yarn, the outer face comprises hydrophilicyarn, and the inner face is arranged for placement in contact with skinof a wearer.
 2. The sock according to claim 1, further comprisingplaiting of stretch hydrophobic yarn.
 3. The sock according to claim 1,wherein the inner face consists of 100% hydrophobic yarn.
 4. The sockaccording to claim 1, wherein the outer face consists of 100%hydrophilic yarn.
 5. The sock according to claim 1, wherein the innerface comprises an absorbency test value of at least 30 seconds accordingto AATCC Test Method
 79. 6. The sock according to claim 1, wherein theouter face comprises an absorbency test value of no more than 5 secondsaccording to AATCC Test Method
 79. 7. The sock according to claim 1,wherein the outer face comprises a vertical wicking test value of atleast 10 cm in 30 minutes.
 8. The sock according to claim 1, wherein theinner face comprises a first color, the outer face comprises a secondcolor, and the first color differs from the second color.
 9. A sockcomprising a sole of dual layer material including an inner layer and anouter layer, wherein the inner layer comprises hydrophobic yarn, theouter layer comprises hydrophilic yarn, and the inner layer is arrangedfor placement in contact with skin of a wearer.
 10. The sock accordingto claim 9, further comprising plaiting of stretch hydrophobic yarn. 11.The sock according to claim 9, wherein the inner layer consists of 100%hydrophobic yarn.
 12. The sock according to claim 9, wherein the outerlayer consists of 100% hydrophilic yarn.
 13. The sock according to claim9, wherein the inner layer comprises an absorbency test value of atleast 30 seconds according to AATCC Test Method
 79. 14. The sockaccording to claim 9, wherein the outer layer comprises an absorbencytest value of no more than 5 seconds according to AATCC Test Method 79.15. The sock according to claim 9, wherein the outer layer comprises avertical wicking test value of at least 10 cm in 30 minutes.
 16. Thesock according to claim 9, wherein the inner layer comprises a firstcolor, the outer layer comprises a second color, and the first colordiffers from the second color.
 17. The sock according to claim 9,wherein the dual layer material comprises terry material.